We like to dedicate at least one night a week for family time. It is a night that we can play and really connect. Focus on what is important. Family. We have enjoyed going pickin’ ever since we moved to Connecticut. We went blueberry picking twice in the summer, and we basically hurried through it. We have really been looking forward to apple picking in the fall. It is basically THE perfect family fall outing in my eyes. I love the crisp air, the smell of popcorn and pumpkin donuts and anticipating what we will do with all of our delicious apples.
We went apple picking the other day, I think it was actually the first official day of fall. It could not have been a more perfect day. We all had new fall clothes from Gilt that the girls were dying to wear. I actually couldn’t wait to take their pictures in them. We love all of their new clothes- and Gilt is having a 72 hour sale starting today! (You can shop our entire look HERE). We had such a fun day. I thought I would share our tips for a successful fall family day out apple picking!
1- Before you go apple picking think of what you plan to do with the apples. Dessert is a given, (cobblers and crisps are my favorite) we do like to have enough for snacks and to be able to share some with friends. Knowing before hand how many you want, you can tell your kids how many they can pick and you won’t end up with way too many or not enough.
2- We have found the best places to pick apples by asking around. Some orchards are known for their atmosphere and others are just for apple picking. We prefer a charming orchard where we can get apple cider as a reward at the end of our picking. Or in our case the orchard we like to go to is about 45 minutes from our home. By the time we got there the kids were hungry and needed a little pick me up. We immediately bought our favorite maple kettle corn. As you can see, it was hard to get Ella to put it down and actually pick an apple.
3- When you go apple picking you tend to be shaded by the apple trees, making it much cooler. Make sure to bring jackets to layer on, so you don’t have to cut your trip short.
If I had the girls coats I think I would be wearing them at any sign of a breeze. You can find them HERE.
4- We like to bring a basket for everyone, or at least for each child. That way mom and dad can reach the higher apples and the kids have the important task of placing them carefully in their own basket and counting each one. (I found our baskets at second hand stores).
5- Your apples will last longest in cool dry place unwashed. They can last several weeks that way. Then wash right before you eat them.
After all the apple picking fun. We headed home and got right into pajamas. We decided to make our favorite Apple Breakfast Cobbler (because we already ate WAY too much popcorn at the apple orchard).
We have found one of the best ways to teach patience- especially in the fall is with baking. Our kids learn to take turns adding the ingredients. I like to have the one who is waiting for their turn to help bake color a picture of the fall outing we just did or draw a picture of us eating the dessert.
This is our cobbler recipe we made with our apples. I took a finished photo the next morning before we dug in. Oh man- it smelt amazing! It would be perfect to make when you have visitors. And this would actually make a great dessert topped with ice-cream.
Apple Breakfast Cobbler
4 medium Apples, cored and sliced (I left the peels on)
1/3 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar works too)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon juice (I used apple cider that we bought at the orchard- you could also use lemon juice)
2 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter works)
2 cups granola (I used my homemade granola- recipe HERE)
Plain or Vanilla yogurt for topping (optional)
- Place apples in your crock-pot. Sprinkle coconut sugar, cinnamon and juice over the apples. Stir in the coconut oil and granola.
- Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for about 2 to 3 hours.
- Serve hot topped with yogurt and a little sprinkle of granola on top.
We finished the night with a little play and books. I had read the other day something that has stuck with me and I think of daily…
Home can be a heaven on earth,
where we want to be.
I really can’t think of a place I would rather be. All snuggled up in matching pajamas.
(You can find their darling matching pajamas HERE.)
Thanks for stopping by our fall family day. I hope you get a chance to go apple picking this season.
Thank you Gilt for sponsoring this post and for the darling clothes.
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Looks like such a fun day.
Thank you Marty!!
Yum–this looks so good! Two quick questions: Did you cook this on low and leave in the slow cooker overnight? Or did you refrigerate it after initial cooking and reheat it in the morning. Also–if replacing butter for the coconut oil, is it still 2 TBS? Thanks!
Hi! I went to bed late and started it before bed- cooked about 6 hours on low- the longer you cook it will taste good, just gets a little mushy. But I do reheat it in the oven after day one- I ate it for dessert tonight:)
Yes it is the same amount of butter.
Let me know if you try it!
I am dying! This is the cutest photo shoot! Everyone looks amazing!
Thanks so much Mandy 🙂 xoxoxo
Looks like the perfect ending to a perfect day. I wish we had apple orchards around here. Looks like fun and the food sounds delicious! Finn has gotten so big already. Your family is adorable and always look so happy.
Thanks so much Donna! You are so sweet. I wish you had apple orchards too!
Just discovered your blog and am enjoying it very much! I pinned your recipe (thanks!), and appreciate the sweet reminder of the fall days spent at the local orchard with our son (he’s 17 now) … enjoy your precious little ones! (in all fairness, my big kid is a lot of fun, too, but their childhoods do fly by).
Finally, thank you so much for sharing your lovely home. My home is small, too (1,800 sq. feet) and it seems we are surrounded by mini mansions – or at least sprawling homes with finished basements. 😉 It’s so refreshing to see real love poured into a smaller space. Embracing the comforts of home and family show a real spirit of gratitude. And that is a home that is bound to be truly blessed.
Wow! You made my night:) thank you for your kind comment. We too are surrounded by million dollar homes, that are double the size. We love our location and were willing to sacrifice square footage. I have really enjoyed a smaller home, less to clean and worry about and we can always hear little voices and singing. Thanks again. I am glad you are here!
hey girl love the post! The pics are so darling with the kids! Glad y’all had fun! Happy Fall!
Thanks so much for reading it Shawnna! xxxx